Whenever you want to try something new or out of the ordinary there will definitely be critics.  Nay-sayers, pessimists and a variety of ill wishers will be there at every turn.  Sometimes you’ll find them in the most unlikely of places…

Last night, I had a very strange dream.  I was looking at various empty spaces for rent for my business (probably the reason this dream felt so real).  Most were old auto garages with high ceilings and in rather haggard condition.  As I looked around trying to decide which was best, I realized nothing was working.  Every move I made was the wrong one.  Every space I coveted had some major flaw.  I came to the realization that I just couldn’t do it.  The dream ended with my (fictitious) business partner telling me I was quite possibly the worst businessman in the world. She told me that no matter what I did, everything would end in failure.  All the work I had put in thus far was lost and that I was stupid to even try.  Quit now.

Turns out: in the dream I wasn’t trying to open a CrossFit box, I was trying to open a grow house for marijuana (note: I don’t do drugs but during a recent gigantic snow storm I watched seasons 1-3 of Weeds.  Seriously.). Even still, I woke up thoroughly discouraged.  Getting out of bed at 4:45am is hard enough without also thinking you are a failure.  Point is: the second I took time to rationalize it, I dismissed it immediately and felt even more resolved.

I know what you might be saying: “Yeah but it was a dream.  You (hopefully) aren’t trying to open a grow house so why would it discourage you.”  And while I agree, how easy is it to give in to signs and superstitions?  How many times have you “felt” like you shouldn’t do something and that was justification enough not to do it.

There is nothing greater than proving nay-sayers wrong when it comes to preconceptions about your abilities.  I’ve done it my whole life and it feels just as good every time.  It’s a whole new battle, however, when it comes to defying your naysaying-self.  It takes a new level of dedication.  You will go through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows; but NEVER doubt yourself.  It’s not the circumstances that change, it’s only your perception of them.

“When someone does you wrong, do not judge things as he interprets them or would like you to interpret them.  Just see them as they are, in plain truth.”
-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (4.11)